Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program Fall 2025

1. The Department of Occupational Therapy will not process any application that is incomplete (for any items noted above) or that is not submitted by the deadline.
2. Preference MAY BE shown to Alabama residents, however, highly qualified out-of-state applicants whose academics and experiences indicate that they may be a success in both the program and the OT profession will be given the same consideration as residents.
3. Students accepted to the program must submit completed health and physical forms to include required immunizations. Students accepted in Fall or Spring these will be required by May  30, 2025. Students accepted in Summer these will be required by July 2025.  Accepted students must also read, sign, and submit the Core Performance Standards document outlining fundamental tasks of which applicants should be capable upon entering the OT program.
4. Acceptance into the OTD program is provisional pending a clear background check, submission of required medical forms, and completion of bachelor’s degree.  Students accepted in Fall or Spring these will be required by May  30, 2025. Students accepted in Summer these will be required by July 2025.
5. Acceptance into the OTD program is provisional pending completion of any additional required prerequisite courses. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses. Failure to make a 3.0 prerequisite GPA will result in a nullification of acceptance into the professional program. **Spring Semester 2020 only, courses listed as Pass in the Pass/Fail grading system or Satisfactory in the Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory grading system will be accepted for prerequisite courses.
6. Accepted students must submit a $300 matriculation fee with the Statement of Intent to reserve a seat in the class. This fee is non-refundable and is applied to the student’s first semester tuition.  Students offered admission may elect not to pay the matriculation fee and be placed on the alternate list.
7. PLEASE NOTE: A record of criminal charges, including misdemeanor and felony charges, may result in denial of access to fieldwork sites, inability to sit for the NBCOT board exam, inability to obtain a state license to practice, and/or limit job opportunities. Potential students with concerns are encouraged to review the NBCOT requirements on the website. 

Minimum Requirements

All applicants must complete the OTCAS admissions application for our program.

The candidate is expected to satisfy the following minimum requirements:

1. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university by May 30, 2025 for Fall/ Spring applicants, July 2025 for summer applicants.
2. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 (A=4.0) overall cumulative GPA.  Minimum 3.0 GPA OT prerequisite courses.
3. OT Observation Hours (20 required) completed on documented forms
4. Complete the Supplemental Application and Required Fee

Program Requirements

1. Occupational Therapy is a full-time doctorate program that provides scientific evidence and clinical education needed for clinical practice. Course work and clinical fieldwork placements are full-time in nature. Students must be able to manage full-time clinical placements which are scheduled both on weekdays and weekends, between semesters and within semesters, not always following the academic calendar. Students should have the resources to commute to clinical placements that are not local to the Mobile area.
2. Students matriculating into and within Occupational Therapy will be required to have continuous health coverage and provide documentation of this throughout the program of study. Students are responsible for the cost of this health insurance coverage.
3. Students matriculating into and within Occupational Therapy will be required to complete background checks, drug screens, immunizations, and specific trainings at various times within the program and clinical fieldwork placements. We are unable to accept students into the clinical programs that are unable to sit for the NBCOT exam or achieve licensure in the US. Students are responsible for the costs of these.
4. The University of South Alabama, Department of Occupational Therapy utilizes the online management system of Canvas for all courses. Each OT student is expected to have a personal computer for the completion of web-based assignments, exams, and online courses during the OT program. 91¶ÌÊÓƵ has a contracted service with Microsoft to allow enrolled students some specific free software downloads. Students should be familiar with MS Office for Word and Excel, be familiar with uploading and downloading documents into course learning management sites such as Canvas, and be familiar with Google Calendar.

Prerequisite Courses must be completed by May 30, 2025 for Fall/Spring Admissions and by July 2025 for all Summer admissions. Prerequisite Courses are required for ALL Applicants.

A minimum 3.0 GPA must be maintained for these prerequisite courses:
Developmental (life span) psychology (PSY 250)
Abnormal psychology (PSY 340)
Statistics (ST 210)
**Anatomy & physiology I (BMD 251)
**Anatomy & physiology II (BMD 252)
**Kinesiology (biomechanics) preferred / or physics with algebra/trigonometry (KIN 380 or PH 114) 

** These prerequisite courses must be taken no more than ten years prior to submitting your application. 

AP credit and CLEP scores are not accepted for any of the prerequisite courses.
Pass/Fail and/or Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory grades accepted for course grades for Spring 2020 only.

 

 

 

Application Process 

 

When should I apply?

 Students can apply to the OTD program about one year before they intend to start. So, you can apply in July 2024 for Fall 2025 admissions if you meet the requirements below based on completion of prerequisite courses and date the degree will be conferred.  To apply you must have completed three (3) out of the six (6) required prerequisite courses with grades on the transcripts submitted to OTCAS. You must indicate on the supplemental application that you can complete all prerequisite courses within the designated time frames and earn a Bachelor’s degree as indicated.  

 

This will be a rolling application process. Students will be viewed at various points for consideration for entrance to Fall 2025.

 

You can apply at these times if you meet this criterion:

A- Fall review of qualified applicants- OTCAS deadline for materials  is  Sept. 23, 2024

Completed minimum of 3/6 (or more) prerequisite courses by Summer 2024, will complete all prerequisite courses by December 2024, will graduate with Bachelor’s degree by May 2025 (or sooner)

 

B- Spring review of qualified applicants- OTCAS deadline for materials is Jan. 17, 2025

Completed minimum of 3/6 prerequisite (or more) courses by Fall 2024, will complete all prerequisite course by May 2025, will graduate with Bachelor’s by May 2025

 

C- Late Spring review of qualified applicants- OTCAS deadline is June 1, 2025

Completed 3/6 prerequisite courses by May 2025, will complete all prerequisite courses by July and  with graduate with Bachelor’s degree  by July 2025 (or sooner)

 

D- Summer Review of qualified applicants- deadline for materials is July 31, 2025

Completed all prerequisite courses and graduate with Bachelor’s degree by July 2025

These final transcripts will be sent directly to otadmissions@southalabama.edu

 

Note- Preference will be given to those who complete degree and prerequisite courses by May 2025 and summer admits will be subject to offers only if seats are still available.

 

 

To be considered for admission to the OT Doctorate (OTD) program at the University of South Alabama, applicants should submit the following to OTCAS:

 

1-Completed 91¶ÌÊÓƵ OT Supplemental Application which will be uploaded in the documents section;

2-Pay the $75 non-refundable supplemental application fee and upload the receipt in the documents section;

3-Upload official transcripts in OTCAS for all colleges/ universities attended and have them verified within the OTCAS system;

                 **Please note that the OTCAS verification process may take 4-6 weeks. Also, students completing degrees in Summer 2025  must send official transcripts showing degree completion to otadmissions@southalabama.edu

 4-Complete the OTCAS application process including academic updates

     Students who will complete prerequisite courses and degrees after the application is submitted must complete an academic update in OTCAS and submit updated transcripts to show completion and grade achieved for courses and completion of the degree. OTCAS has instructions for this. Students are encouraged to submit all necessary materials and start the OTCAS application as soon as possible. (Students applying in Summer will submit some aspects directly to the otadmissions@southalabama.edu)

 

5-  Submit Required  OT observation hours document

6-Submit volunteer/internship/work-related documentation (optional)

 

     Admissions will remain open until all seats are filled before the start of the Fall 2025 semester. Admissions are competitive and the OTD program will select applicants who show successful academic potential to meet the requirements of the OTD program.

In order to be considered for admission to the OTD program at University of South Alabama, applicants should submit to OTCAS the following:

• completed 91¶ÌÊÓƵ OT Supplemental Application which will be uploaded in the documents section
• pay the $75 non-refundable supplemental application fee and upload the receipt in the documents section
• upload all transcripts in OTCAS for all colleges/universities attended
• complete the OTCAS application process
• have your transcripts verified by OTCAS (start as soon as your application is submitted)
  • Please note that the OTCAS verification process may take 4-6 weeks.
• submit OT Observation Hours documentation
• submit Volunteer/Internship/Work Hours documentation (optional)

HRSA Questions

Applicants are asked to respond to HRSA questions as part of the OTCAS application. Applicants should answer these honestly as these responses will be considered as part of the application process.

 

To be considered for admission to the OT Doctorate (OTD) program at the University of South Alabama, applicants should submit the following:

 

1-Completed 91¶ÌÊÓƵ OT Supplemental Application  which will be uploaded in the documents section;

2-Pay the $75 non-refundable supplemental application fee and upload the receipt in the documents section;

3-Upload official transcripts in OTCAS for all colleges/ universities attended and have them verified within the OTCAS system;

                 **Please note that the OTCAS verification process may take 4-6 weeks. Also, students completing degrees in Summer 2025  must send official final transcripts to otadmissions@southalabama.edu

 

4-Complete the OTCAS application process including academic updates

     Students who will complete prerequisite courses and degrees after the application is submitted must complete an academic update in OTCAS and submit updated transcripts to show completion and grade achieved for courses and completion of the degree. OTCAS has instructions for this. Students are encouraged to submit all necessary materials and start the OTCAS application as soon as possible.

5-  Submit Required  OT observation hours document

6-Submit volunteer/internship/work-related documentation (optional)

     Admissions will remain open until all seats are filled before the start of the Fall 2025 semester. Admissions are competitive and the OTD program will select applicants who show successful academic potential to meet the requirements of the OTD program.

 

Note- NO GRE scores or interviews are required

 

Matriculation Fee

Admitted students who wish to reserve their place in the program will be asked to submit a $300 Matriculation fee upon acceptance. 

 

Review Process

  Students who are offered a seat in the program will be required to complete background checks,  drug screens, and complete immunization requirements prior to entry into the program. The results of these and compliance of this may impact your status.

 

 NBCOT Exam Eligibility

  Students will be required by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) to complete a character review process as part of being eligible to sit for the national exam. This includes answering questions about felony charges, surrendering professional licenses, court or disciplinary procedures resulting in harm to others, or being suspended or expelled from a college or university. You will also be required to complete a background check. 

**PLEASE NOTE: A record of criminal charges, including misdemeanor and felony charges, may result in denial of access to fieldwork sites, inability to sit for the NBCOT board exam, inability to obtain a state license to practice, and/or limit job opportunities.

OT Observation Hours (minimum of 20 hours) are required at the time of application. Students can submit up to 60 hours of observation. Please complete and submit the required documentation forms. If students can not complete the required hours due to clinic restrictions, you can complete an alternative assignment. Please contact the Admissions Department if you need the alternative, but we highly encourage you to see real OTs in action as much as possible. We want you to know what OTs do and make the best decision for your career choice.

 

The following are not required but these experiences will enhance your application for consideration into the OTD program.

Volunteer Hours

Volunteer experiences (1-100 hours) are part of our holistic admissions process. Applicants should document only volunteer (unpaid) hours that involve serving individuals with disabilities, individuals that are underserved or underprivileged, and hours with charitable organizations serving people. Paid employment does not count for this. Applicants should upload documentation from the agency or your university/college volunteer services (Ex South Serves) that indicates the agency you volunteered for, the dates, and the hours you provided. Only provide a maximum of 100 hours even if you did more than this.

 

Internship Experiences

College level internship experiences that required direct interactions with individuals with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds should be submitted.  A letter on letterhead from your professor that indicates your name, the course name, course number, semester completed, agency you were assigned to, and number of hours completed is required. The professor should also sign the form.

Work Related Experiences

Paid employment that provided opportunities for you to work directly with individuals with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds (Ex. rehab aide, nurses aide, teachers aide or assistant) should be documented. Provide a letter from the employer on letterhead stationary that indicates your name, job position, months/years of employment, and basic job responsibilities. It should be signed by the employer and include contact information such as phone number and email for verification.

Bonus Course

OT 201 Introduction to Occupational Therapy

OTD Tuition and fees 2024-2025

International students must meet the minimum requirements for admission and apply to the International Admissions Office with certified translations of transcripts at least 60 days before applying to the occupational therapy program. International coursework must be evaluated by the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Office of International Services to verify equivalency to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ courses. International applicants must have a TOEFL score = 100 on Internet-based tests, OR iTEP Academic = 4.9, OR IELTS = 7.5, OR PTE Academic = 75. Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution are not required to submit TOEFL results.

View the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Transfer Evaluation System to see how your classes will transfer.

The University of South Alabama entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

ACOTE Contact Information
Address:
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone:
(301) 652-AOTA

Website:
www.acoteonline.org

Current Status: Candidacy Granted

This new OTD program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

OTD students must successfully complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork, as well as, the individual 14-week capstone experience within 12 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all required coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in the 2023 D standards.

ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.

If you have further questions about the application process, please contact the OT Department.
Phone: (251) 445-9222
Email the Dept. of OT